LAS VEGAS -- The Bullring's biggest crowd of the year braved unseasonably-hot weather and got what they paid to see: fireworks, both on and off the track.
Rookie sensation Jason Allen scored a thrilling victory in the 75-lap NASCAR Late Model feature at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Allen beat Chuck Trickle to the finish line and denied the veteran a $5,000 bonus. Trickle was the fastest qualifier and opted to start at the rear to shoot for the $5,000 Hoosier Tire Challenge.
Allen took the lead on lap 30 when race leader Chris Clyne and second-place runner Steve Resznoweicky crashed on the back chute. Trickle cracked the top five on lap 33 and set off in pursuit of a rich payday. With just three laps remaining, Trickle took second place from rookie Kyle Busch and nearly caught Allen in Turn 4 with the checkered flag in sight. Allen took the win, while Trickle -- nearly sideways at the finish line -- was forced to settle for second place. Kyle Busch was third, followed by Ray Hooper Jr. and Ken Holt.
Trickle was asked why he gambled and decided to start at the rear of the 26-car field.
"I'm out of the points race, so we decided just to have fun and it seemed like the best way to do that would be to go for the bonus," Trickle said.
Allen drives the No. 71 Pontiac for former LPGA golfer Mary Wolfe, keeps his car in Trickle's shop and relies on the veteran for help setting up his race car, said he saw Trickle charging through the field. While he could have allowed his teammate to pass him and collect the $1,000 first-place money and the $5,000 Hoosier bonus, Allen -- second in points to 2000 Bullring champion Dick Cobb -- worked hard to protect his lead.
"I saw him get under Kyle (Busch) and I knew I had to protect the bottom (of the track)," Allen said.
Though denied a big payday, Trickle was the first to congratulate Allen in victory lane.
Seven of the 26 starters finished on the lead lap.
Allen also won the 10-lap, $100-to-win Racer's Supply Late Model Dash for Cash. The Late Model "B" Main was won by Hooper.
Doug Hamm won his first Grand American Modified feature of the 2001 season, finishing ahead of current points leader Dan Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald fought his way back to second place after being involved in an accident that cost him third place and sent him to the rear of the field.
Points leader Alex Haase won the 12-lap Bandolero feature. Season-long rivals Spencer Clark and Kyle Busch once again finished one-two in the 40-lap Legends Car feature. T.J. Clark won the 10-lap Thunder Roadster exhibition race. Matt Cunningham won the demolition derby. Melissa DeMercurio sang the national anthem. The holiday-eve racing program concluded with a spectacular fireworks display.
All cars passed post-race technical inspection. There were no disqualifications.
75-LAP NASCAR LATE MODEL FEATURE: 1. Jason Allen, 2. Chuck Trickle, 3. Kyle Busch, 4. Ray Hooper Jr., 5. Ken Holt, 6. Billy Newman, 7. Jerry Spilsbury, 8. Dick Cobb, 9. Wayne Jacks, 10. Richard Bridges, 11. Steve Anderson, 12. Dennis Rock, 13. Darren Michaels, 14. Rick Rochell, 15. Rick Cobb, 16. Lance Magin, 17. Casey Kingsland, 18. Joe Kirsch, 19. Steve Rzesnoweicky, 20. Rich Attisani, 21. Chris Clyne, 22. Nick Antrillo, 23. Brandon Whitt, 24. Don Kelly Jr., 25. Mike Hunnington, 26. George Antill.
40-LAP GRAND AMERICAN MODIFIED FEATURE: 1. Doug Hamm, 2. Dan Fitzgerald, 3. C.J. Sherkenbach, 4. Wayne Morris, 5. Sonny Boeckman, 6. Kirk Miller, 7. David Gerchman, 8. Sonny Wahl, 9. Fabian Bray, 10. Glenn Davis, 11. Jerry Walton, 12. Stoney Gray, 13. Larry Gerchman, 14. Greg Haase, 15. Eric Bauer, 16. Jim Petrie, 17. Greg Albright, 18. Randy Swalwell, 19. Mike Deal, 20. Scott Osborn, 21. Jim Justice.
40-LAP LEGENDS CAR FEATURE: 1. Spencer Clark, 2. Kyle Busch, 3. T.J. Clark, 4. Danny Williams, 5. Bob Woodsford, 6. Aric Wiszt, 7. Morris Sealy, 8. Matt Daly, 9. Steve Legg, 10. Fletcher Hammond, 11. Frank Eidrich, 12. Jerry Jones, 13. Bill Hayes, 14. Kurt Minnick, 15. James Galza, 16. Rick Rogas, 17. David Anderson, 18. Greg Albright, 19. Dow Woerner, 20. Justin Johnson, 21. Dennis Lovelady, 22. Charlie Wahl, 23. Robby Guevera, 24. John Taylor, 25. David Green, 26. Ron St. Amand, 27. Marty Taylor.
12-LAP BANDOLERO FEATURE: 1. Alex Haase, 2. Joey Mogar, 3. Joshua Gross, 4.
Bear Rzesnoweicky, 5. Tom Lovelady, 6. Justin Waters, 7. Eric Chelberg, 8.
Shelby Bailey, 9. Hayli Rochell.
